98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes
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osufan3108
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:01 pm
- Car: 1998 Nissan Pathfinder SE
98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes
I have a 98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes if I try and start it within about 30 mins of driving it. The engine is still warm. The sputtering does not last long, maybe a minute or two and then it's fine. My mechanic said it probably just needed a tune up so I changed plugs, wires and distributor cap. It ran fine for about a month but now it's starting the sputtering thing again. It's not every time I start it but enough that I want to get it fixed. Could it be a fuel filter, o2 sensor? Any other ideas? Thanks.
Re: 98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes
Check out your EVAP system. I had the same problem. The charcoal canister goes bad and then fills up one of the EVAP valves with charcoal pellets. It will progressively get worse, if that is the problem. Could be another bad component in the EVAP system also.
One of the EVAP valves is on top of the intake manifold near the fire wall. EVAP Charcoal canister and other EVAP valves are on the underside rear of vehicle on the drivers side. If your canister has gone bad, you will have to blow the lines out clean with compressed air and replace it with a new canister. You also will have to clean charcoal out of some of the valves. I used MAF cleaner.
One of the EVAP valves is on top of the intake manifold near the fire wall. EVAP Charcoal canister and other EVAP valves are on the underside rear of vehicle on the drivers side. If your canister has gone bad, you will have to blow the lines out clean with compressed air and replace it with a new canister. You also will have to clean charcoal out of some of the valves. I used MAF cleaner.
Re: 98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes
An EVAP problem will throw a code, the next logical thing to do is the fuel filter. Not O2 sensor, maybe injectors or distributor failing.
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atraudes
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Re: 98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes
Is it throwing any codes? Hard to start at any point, blowing smoke, anything else unusual?
Agree on the fuel filter since it's a pretty cheap and simple step. I'd also get some MAF cleaner and clean it as well. If none of that yields fruit, hook up a fuel gauge (most parts stores should be able to loan you one) and see what happens to the fuel pressure 1, 5, 10, 20, etc minutes after shutting it off. The fuel pressure should maybe rise a bit immediately but slowly bleed off over the next 15-30 minutes. It'd also be interesting to see what it is after sitting overnight.
Agree on the fuel filter since it's a pretty cheap and simple step. I'd also get some MAF cleaner and clean it as well. If none of that yields fruit, hook up a fuel gauge (most parts stores should be able to loan you one) and see what happens to the fuel pressure 1, 5, 10, 20, etc minutes after shutting it off. The fuel pressure should maybe rise a bit immediately but slowly bleed off over the next 15-30 minutes. It'd also be interesting to see what it is after sitting overnight.
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rgk
- Posts: 588
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- Car: 02 Pathfinder LE 3.5 auto 4x4
- Location: Indiana Dunes National Park
Re: 98 Nissan Pathfinder SE that sputters sometimes
My old Protege had a pressure regulator control solenoid that would cause the car to receive a different amount of air if it was started warm. Does his Pathfinder have anything like that?